skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Hello Friends and Readers--
I can't believe that summer is already here! It seems like just yesterday that I was preparing for the holidays, and now it's time for swimsuits and beach towels and mindless fiction (hooray!).
For me, summer is always a time for fun and a fresh burst of creative energy! Which is why there are TWO important things I want to share with your today regarding this summer!
NUMBER ONE: I am creating a BRAND NEW HOME for Deviantly Domesticated (YAY!) and I am REALLY excited about it! You see, for a very long time I've been searching for a way to make the ideas on this blog come to life beyond my little home office and into the lives of other women. I want all of us to be "deviantly domesticated" and to wildly flourish in the life beyond the 9-5 norm. SO...this new site will have all of the usual projects, posts and photos from me, BUT it will also have some compelling new features for YOU too! (I can't wait!)
NUMBER TWO: But before the new site is up, I'll be busy-as-a-bee building its new home, and so I'm going to tweak my summer posting routine a bit.
Translation: I probably won't be updating every day.
But WAIT! you might be thinking. We read everyday! What are we going to do!?
Well, I'm glad you asked, because I have a plan! Rest assured that I'll still be here working every day, and I have THREE fun, alternative ways for you to stay inspired and in touch. They are:
:: Email! I am going to be enhancing my email newsletter for the summer, meaning more emails, projects, photos, etc. In other words, you'll see a lot of the same content that I normally post on this blog (PLUS updates on the new site!!) only it will be delivered directly to your inbox instead. SOOOO...if you aren't signed up for my newsletter, DO IT NOW! (CLICK HERE)
:: Facebook & Twitter! I might not be updating here daily, but you can bet that I will be on FB and Twitter daily, uploading photos and links and making pithy statements. So for a daily dose of Steph, just visit me HERE (Facebook) and HERE (Twitter)!
:: Flickr! I've created TWO inspirational groups for you to visit and participate in during the summer (and beyond!)--Crafty Girl and In the Kitchen. I'll be uploading all my summer project photos & tasty food images to these groups, and hope that you will do the same! Visit HERE (Crafty Girl) and HERE (In the Kitchen) to get started now!
If you haven't caught on by now, I'm pretty excited about the future, and am actually looking forward to working this summer! (I know--crazy, right?) So without further adieu, I will leave you to do just that! You'll be hearing from me soon!
--steph
The time for saying goodbye to Retro Summer '09 has come at last. It has been, if I don't mind saying, a fabulous three months of cooking and gardening and sewing and enjoying the outdoors.
Here are a few of the highlights:
Baking with seasonal fruits...
Enjoying the best of summer picnic foods, like ribs and corn...
And indulging in desserts of all shapes and sizes.
Of course there was growing and harvesting fresh food from the garden...
And visiting the local farm animals hanging out in the shade...
There were a lot of summer projects, from handmade jewelry...
To handknit cardigans...
And summer dresses...
There were lots of summer flowers to be picked...
and enjoyed.
And, finally, there was of course the beautiful outdoors to explore.
And plant in...
And make campfire memories with.
Of course, even though summer is coming to an end, there is a fresh excitement in the air for the arrival of fall (one of my most favorite seasons). And I'm sure that even though the days will get colder and the flowers will fade, I'll still be baking and sewing and enjoying nature--and posting all about it here.
Starting next Monday with a new series.
So let's bid summer a fond farewell, and welcome a new season with open arms!
Hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday!
I spent some time this weekend enjoying one of my favorite bookends to the summer--the annual street festival my town hosts.
Hundreds of people pack into downtown where they can view the merchandise from regional vendors, learn about local social clubs/organizations, listen to live music, ride carnival rides. and eat festival food! It is pure summer enjoyment right before school starts up again!
I love the festival because it is a good way to meet new community members, including small children who are apparently wild about small dogs. Our furry friend attracted at least half a dozen munchins eager to coo and pet. She was sooo popular.
And a good way to support local organizations and charities.
And it's a chance to eat novelty foods, like fresh mini donuts, which my friend swears are the "cutest things ever!" 
And to smell the smoky goodness of grilling waft through the streets...
Don't forget the people watching. It's one of my favorite summer festival pastimes--
Last, but certainly not least, it is the one time a year that my husband gets to eat a turkey leg. He loves them. So much so that he made me promise to put a ziploc bag in my purse so that I could bring one home for him. And let me tell you--I felt pretty silly stuffing a huge turkey leg into the bag and then into my purse!
But his happy smile was worth it when I got home.
Now we'll have to wait another year--and through another great summer--to enjoy the festival again!
Hope your August is filling up with good memories, too!
Previous Related Posts:
Soaking up to the End!
My End-of-Summer Reading List
Weekend Plans, sans internet
A large part of my enjoyment at the end of summer is indulging in fruity desserts. Like peach cobbler, for instance.
First I cut up the peaches. Normally I think you're supposed to blanch them to remove the skins, but I like those fuzzy covers, so I keep them on. They're so pretty, and they add extra fiber (ahem...not that I'm selling this as a "healthy" dish...).
Then add the filling ingredients. There's four: flour, sugar, cornstarch and water. Simple and easy--plus don't you love easily distinguishable ingredients? They're much more comforting than "high fructose corn syrup" and "malodextrin." Or at least I think so.
Then I whipped up the cobbler topping. Again, it is flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, egg and milk. It's not rocket science, folks.
Then you cook the peaches until they are bubbling and thick. It smells divine. I then dumped mine into a ceramic casserole dish and...
...spooned the doughy cobbler on top. Then bake for 20 minutes or so at 400 degrees, and Voila! Dessert for a whole weekend!
Doesn't it look pretty, all peachy and warm?
Next comes the ice cream. I'm crazy for the homemade stuff, so I made a batch earlier in the afternoon, and it was nice and frozen by the time the cobbler came out of the oven.
Yet again, the ice cream had four simple ingredients: sugar, whole milk, cream and vanilla. And it's soooo good!
I had a little help with the ice cream.
The final result: warm, sweet cobbler mixed with light (not "light" as in healthy, mind you) ice cream. I think the combination of warm and cold together in one bowl is my all-time favorite.
Needless to say, I've already eaten half the cobbler...
Hope you are enjoying some fruity desserts yourself!
Previous Related Posts:
Crave
How to Eat Your Garden Peas (aka last night's dinner)
Three-Day-Weekend Scones
I haven't read as many books this summer as I originally intended. Well...that's not entirely true. I have read a lot of books--it's just that I've read the same ones over and over again (ahem...Twilight...).
But now that summer is nearing the end, there are a few gems still on my list that I endeavor to tackle while the sun is still shining and the pool is still warm.
For instance, I am very excited for the August debut of Amanda Soule's newest book, Handmade Home. I'm an avid follower of her blog, SouleMama, and know already that the photography and project ideas from this book will be an inspiration.
Of course, like so many others, I am also intrigued by Julie and Julia. The pending movie release notwithstanding, I'm eager to dive into Julie Powell's memoir about blogging her way through a year of cooking. Could anything be more up my alley, I ask? I think not!
And as per the recommendation of a good friend (and voracious reader), I'm also itching to get my hands on Julia Child's memoir of her life in France as well. Part of my motivation to read it, I'm sure, is rooted in my desire to spend my life in France. I guess I'll have to live vicariously through her...
Speaking of books written by bloggers about cooking, The Homemade Life by Orangette's author, Molly Wizenberg, is chock full of short stories about the recipes that have made up the building blocks of her life. This food memoir, which I've skimmed in the bookstore and aspire to bring home soon, makes me want to hit my kitchen--and I don't even love cooking!
Finally, I've also skimmed through Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross and marveled at the pages of airy patterns and summery prints. Yes I will take a weekend sewing, thank you very much....
The only thing I suppose I need to do is cart myself to the bookstore and grab up these printed delights--although probably not all at once since my husband tends to faint when I come home with an armful of books and a long receipt.
What books are on your end-of-summer-reading-list? Share by posting your comment here!
Happy reading!
Previous Related Posts:
Soaking up to the End
Reading for Gold Stars
Dress Me Up!
I live in Northern Colorado, which means that we have about eight more weeks of warm weather, and even less time for hot weather.
In other words, the days for wearing fun summer dresses are rapidly coming to an end. So, in honor of cute, flirty skirts and vintage patterns, I've collected a few items I'd certainly like to add to my summer wardrobe.
This first dress is perhaps a bit too bohemian for me, but I can't help but be drawn to pink florals. What can I say--I'm a girly girl. This Folk Hawaiian vintage dress by Violet Folklore is indeed short--perfect for hot days. And I'd certainly ditch the leggings and boots in favor of sandals or wedges!
This handmade creation from Modaspia is the Fiji Dress, and I love it. The designer has the pattern in several fabrics, and I confess that I want them all. Every single one of them. Simple, summery, perfect with a red necklace.... It even has pockets. What more you could ask?
This Sweet Jane dress by Econica is made from bamboo jersey. Now, I've never worn bamboo jersey, but it sounds soft and lovely. And stretchy, which is always good for summer. I'm also fond of this fresh blue color, and the band of white just under the bust would flatter almost anyone!
The Sahara Dress pictured at the top of this post is also a creation by Econica. Don't you love the ruffled detail at the top? And of course I couldn't pass up a chance to highlight my favorite color this summer: yellow. It makes me happy just looking at it.
Speaking of yellow, this Chick strapless dress by Bird Apparel is perhaps a bit too short for my confidence, but I was immediately drawn to it the first time I saw it. The interplay between colors is fun and fresh, and I love the bubble hem at the bottom. Perhaps the less daring could match it with some leggings for the fall!
I couldn't resist adding a party dress to the list. This Powdered Sugar dress by Sarah Seven is way too fancy for walking to mailbox (although don't think I wouldn't try--my neighbors see me in all kinds of wacky duds!), but I'm dying for a party to wear this style. I love everything about it--the teasing length, the layers, the sweatheart neck. Does anyone have a gala they'd like to invite me to?...
Finally, no post on summer dresses could be complete without at least a couple wedding dresses! Even though I've already walked my way down the aisle, I can't help but dream a bit about what I'd wear if I were doing it again. Perhaps I'd choose something fun like this Fancy Formal by Ouma. The length is perfect for a summer wedding, and I'd bet the sash at the waist could be customized in a variety of colors.
I also fell in love with this lacy tiered creation by KT Jean Designs.
Pictured in both shots above, I'm crazy about the ruffled dress, and the silohette is perfectly whimsical for an outdoor wedding.
Can I get married again? Probably not.... I'll just have to settle for wearing fun dresses while I still can!As an aside, I can't help but be impressed by all of these handmade designers out there! Isn't their creativity inspiring? Maybe their talent will rub off on me!Previous Related Posts:
Soaking up to the End
Creative Hour: Golden Dangles
Box Store Boycott
